Age: |
The minimum age you can parachute in the UK is 16; written consent from your parent or guardian is needed if you are between 16-18 yrs old.
Those over 50yrs old are not normally accepted for R.A.P.S or A.F.F, however if they have previous experience they may be considered at the discretion of the club chief instructor (C.C.I).
There is no upper age limit for Tandems at this present time. |
| Weight: |
The upper weight limit does vary from club to club but it is generally 14 stones for all parachuting if in doubt contact skydive utopia |
| Health: |
a good general level of fitness is required for R.A.P.S & A.F.F but you don’t need to be an athlete to participate in a Tandem Skydive.
If you are under 40 yrs of age you can self declare your level of fitness by signing a self-declaration form.
If you are over 40 yrs of age you must get the declaration of fitness form stamped & signed by your doctor, as well as signing it yourself.
The main medical restrictions are: Epilepsy, Heart or Lung Desease, Diabetes, Re-occuring Blackouts, Mental Illness & in extreme cases, Asthma. If you have a disability this does not mean you cannot participate in skydiving. Some of our parachute centres cater for this by means of a Tandem skydive.
If in any doubt please contact Skydive Utopia.
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| Clothes: |
You should wear clothes that are suitable for the weather conditions of that day, but don’t wear bulky clothes ,it is better to have several thin layers than one big layer , you will also be issued with a jump suit to protect your clothes. |
| Shoes: |
footwear should fully cover your feet and preferably with no hook eyelets, trainers are probably the best, sandals are not recommended as these expose the foot. |
| Eyewear: |
Don’t worry if you wear glasses or contact lenses the goggles given to you for the jump will easily go over the glasses & also protect your contacts, however we cannot take responsibility for loss/damage of contact lenses or glasses. |
| Equipment: |
The skydiving equipment you use has both main and a reserve parachute, this is the law. These are both high performance square type called Ram Air Parachutes. The parachute centre will also issue all other equipment needed for the jump. |
| Weather: |
Parachuting is entirely weather dependant.
All the safety conditions must be met before you will be allowed to participate in the parachute jump/skydive. |
| Parachutists: |
If you see other people skydiving it does not mean it is safe for you to do it, these will probably be more experienced jumpers and have knowledge and experience of the weather conditions. When it is safe for you to participate you will be called to do so. |
| Tandem: |
A Tandem skydive is when a student and an instructor are both connected together via 4 secure points & jump together with the instructor controlling the freefall and deploying the parachute at a safe altitude above the ground. |
| R.A.P.S: |
R.A.P.S stands for Ram Air Progression System. This is a solo jump on a square type parachute after completing a minimum of 6 hours ground training. |
| A.F.F: |
A.F.F stand for Accelerated Free Fall, this is a fast track method of gaining your British Parachute Association (B.P.A) skydiving qualification. The course is done in a minimum of 8 skydives. |
| B.P.A: |
B.P.A stand for British Parachute Association .They are the governing body for the sport of parachuting in the UK. |
